SINGAPORE : Four men have been arrested for stealing phones and cash from a mobile phone stall owner in Geylang early Tuesday.

According to a police statement, the stall owner had been trying to help another man who had been set upon by the four men at about 3am.

The gang instead set upon the good Samaritan, forcing him to retreat to a nearby coffeeshop.

With the mobile phone stall unattended, the four men grabbed more than S$7,000 in cash and 33 phones from the stall before boarding a Comfort taxi.

Unable to stop the taxi, the victim called the police. Police officers were alerted to look out for the taxi, while taxi operator ComfortDelGro was also roped in to help with the search.

The suspects were arrested in less than three hours - at 5.45am. All stolen items were also recovered.

Police said the suspects will be charged in court on Wednesday. - CNA/ms